Lemon Cream Cheese Bars

Ingredients

• cooking spray
• 2 (8 ounce) packages refrigerated crescent roll dough (such as Pillsbury® Recipe Creations®), divided
• 2 lemons, zested and juiced, divided
• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 0.5 cup white sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 3 tablespoons white sugar

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with aluminum foil, leaving an overhang; coat with cooking spray.
2. Unroll 1 crescent roll dough; press into bottom of the prepared baking dish, stretching to edges.
3. Combine lemon juice and ¾ lemon zest in a bowl. Beat cream cheese and ½ cup sugar into juice-zest mixture with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy; spread over crescent roll dough in the baking dish.
4. Unroll remaining 1 crescent roll dough; place over cream cheese mixture, stretching to edges. Brush dough with melted butter. Combine 3 tablespoons sugar and remaining ¼ lemon zest in a small bowl; sprinkle over top.
5. Bake in the preheated oven until top is golden brown, about 30 minutes. Cool for about 20 minutes.
6. Lift dessert from baking dish using foil overhang; transfer to a cutting board. Cut into squares, leaving foil in place. Return bars to the baking dish; refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 hour.